New Smyrna Beach reef fishing charters
Bottom fishing on the reefs and wrecks off Ponce Inlet.
Anchor or drift over the reefs and wrecks off Ponce Inlet and drop baited rigs for snapper, grouper and triggerfish. It's steady action, a good first ocean trip, and the best way to bring home fish for dinner.
Book your reef fishing trip
Every calendar below shows live availability. Choose your number of guests, a date and a time, then book.
5-hour reef fishing charter
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8-hour reef fishing charter
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- Free cancellation up to 72 hours before
- Full refund or free reschedule if the captain cancels for weather or seas
- Up to 6 guests. Starting prices shown; your final price depends on group size
Questions? Call (407) 392-4593, 9 am – 6 pm.
What's included and what's not
- Licensed USCG captain
- Florida fishing license for every guest (under the charter license)
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Bait
- Fuel
- Ice and fish box
- Fish cleaning at the dock
- Captain and mate tip (10–20% is customary)
- Food and drinks
- Seasickness medicine
- Transportation to the marina
What to bring
Reviews from New Smyrna Beach trips
5.07 reviewsfrom all New Smyrna Beach trips
Capt Brad was great for both of our fishing trips. He took great care to make my husbands birthday fishing experience amazing and taught me how to use a bait caster. His boat was immaculate and most importantly, he put us on fish.
Ashley Eubanks · April 2026 · Google
A most delightful town
The town of New Smyrna is worth seeing and visiting. We enjoyed walking along the waterfront. You can drive your car to the beach. Ate dinner near the water at one of the Town Tavern which featured a live band. My friend and I went fishing, what fun, highly recommend it!
Lisa Wilson · January 2021
Obstacles conquered!
Started out with a full moon the night before and wind blowing 3 times what was forecast but Captain Brad had a plan. We got out and in no time had fish on! I had no expectations for what we might catch which turned out great 8 different species and two nice redfish! I had a great time!
Doug M. · March 2019 · TripAdvisor
Loved fishing
I have to say, this was one of the most professional organizations I have experienced. Booking was easy and customer support answered all my questions. Even when I remembered them and called back hours later! :) What was recommended was an afternoon trip with Capt Brad. I chose the 6 hour trip…
Tim S · January 2019
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018
Best Birthday Gift Ever !!!
I booked this trip for my Dad's Birthday he loves to fish but rarely catches anything. We went with Capt Brad Kayholm and he delivered an awesome trip he was on time ,very friendly ,knowledgeable and put us on the fish !!! I would definitely recommend booking a trip with him!!!
flhomesbyrich · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Four hour trip with Captain Brad
We had a great time with Captain Brad. He had us on the fish right away in the morning and always kept us moving looking for more. He was very knowledgeable.
Eli L · October 2018 · TripAdvisor
Fish you can catch on your reef trip
The wrecks and artificial reefs off Ponce Inlet hold grouper, snapper and hard-fighting wreck fish. Swipe to see what you could catch.
Red snapper
Genuine redArtificial reefs and wrecks year-round. Keep only during the short federal season.
Vermilion snapper
BeelinerSchools over artificial reefs. Great eating; bites most of the year.
Greater amberjack
AJWrecks and deep reefs. One of the hardest fights on the reef.
Goliath grouper
ProtectedHuge wreck dwellers. Released unharmed; harvest only by special FWC permit.
Great barracuda
CudaAround wrecks most of the year. Fast, explosive strikes.
Also caught on the reefs: triggerfish. Size limits, bag limits and seasons change: see the FWC saltwater fishing regulations.
Reef fishing in New Smyrna Beach: what you can catch
Reef trips are bottom fishing on the artificial reefs and wrecks off New Smyrna Beach. Vermilion, mangrove and lane snapper bite most of the year, along with grouper, amberjack and the odd cobia. Red snapper and some grouper can only be kept during their open seasons, and goliath grouper are catch and release only. Your captain knows the current rules and keeps you legal.
What's biting on the reefs by season
Fall Sep–Nov
- Peak grouper, vermilion snapper, triggerfish
Winter Dec–Feb
- Snapper and triggerfish on calm days
- Grouper closed from Jan 1
Spring Mar–May
- Snapper and triggerfish
- Atlantic grouper opens May 1
Summer Jun–Aug
- Calmest seas
- Vermilion and mangrove snapper
- Short red snapper season
- Gag and other Atlantic shallow-water grouper are closed Jan 1 – Apr 30.
- Red snapper is open only during the short federal season. Ask your captain which dates apply.
- The charter license covers all guests. No personal license is needed.
Source: FWC. Limits change; your captain has the current rules.
5 or 8 hours?
Nearshore reefs and wrecks
A short run to the closest reefs, then steady bottom fishing. Good for families, kids and a first trip on the ocean. Up to 15 miles out.
More time, deeper water
Time to move between more spots and reach deeper reefs and wrecks, with a better shot at bigger grouper and snapper. Up to 25 miles out.
Reef fishing or offshore: which trip is right for you?
Both trips leave from Ponce Inlet and run up to 25 miles out. The difference is how you fish: reef trips keep every line on the bottom, offshore trips add flat lines for fish near the surface.
| Reef fishing (this page) | Offshore | |
|---|---|---|
| How you fish | Bottom fishing: anchor or drift over structure and drop baited rigs | Bottom fishing, plus flat lines (live baits near the surface) on 6- and 8-hour trips |
| Where | Reefs and wrecks up to 15 miles out (5 hr) or 25 miles (8 hr) | Artificial reefs and wrecks up to 25 miles out |
| Main fish | Snapper, grouper, triggerfish, amberjack | Kingfish, mahi, sailfish, wahoo, plus snapper and grouper |
| Time on the water | Shorter run, more time fishing | Longer runs to reach bigger fish |
| Trip lengths | 5 or 8 hours | 5, 6 or 8 hours |
| Price | From $700 for up to 6 guests; price varies with group size | From $1,000, one price for up to 6 guests |
| Best for | Families, first ocean trip, fish for dinner | Experienced anglers, trophy fish |
| See reef dates | Book offshore |
How much does reef fishing in New Smyrna Beach cost?
A reef fishing charter out of Ponce Inlet near New Smyrna Beach starts at $700 for 5 hours and $900 for 8 hours with iOutdoors, for up to 6 guests. The final price depends on group size. Reef trips are bottom fishing: the captain anchors or drifts over nearshore reefs and wrecks for snapper, grouper and triggerfish, up to 15 miles out on 5-hour trips and 25 miles on 8-hour trips. The fishing license, gear, bait and fuel are included.
New Smyrna Beach reef fishing guide
Reef fishing from New Smyrna Beach means bottom fishing on the artificial reefs and wrecks off Ponce Inlet, a few minutes north of town. Instead of fishing near the surface, the captain finds a piece of structure, anchors or drifts over it, and you fish baited rigs on the bottom where snapper, grouper and triggerfish live. It's the most reliable way to catch fish to eat on an ocean trip.
How reef fishing works
Your captain uses sonar to find fish on the wrecks and artificial reefs spread across the sandy bottom, then positions the boat over them. You drop a weighted rig baited with squid, cut fish or live bait to the bottom, wait for a bite and reel up. The crew baits hooks, untangles lines and helps land fish, so beginners catch fish too. If a spot slows down, the captain moves to the next one.
Reef fishing vs offshore
Offshore trips use the same bottom fishing and add flat lines, live baits fished near the surface for kingfish, cobia and barracuda. Reef trips keep every line on the bottom, for steadier action and a better shot at fish for dinner. Many families start with a reef trip and book offshore once they know they like the ocean.
Keeping your catch
Reef fish have size and bag limits, and some have closed seasons. Gag and other shallow-water grouper close from January through April, and red snapper opens only for a short federal season in summer. Your captain knows the current rules, measures your fish, and cleans and bags your legal catch at the dock.
Tips for a good reef trip
- Seasickness: a boat at anchor rocks more than a moving one. If you're prone to it, take medicine the night before and again in the morning.
- Bring a cooler with ice for your cleaned catch.
- Morning trips usually have the calmest seas, especially in summer when afternoon storms build.
- Weather calls: if the captain cancels for weather or seas, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.
Questions about reef fishing
What's the difference between reef fishing and offshore fishing?
Reef fishing is bottom fishing: the captain anchors or drifts over nearshore reefs and wrecks for snapper, grouper and triggerfish. Offshore trips use the same bottom fishing and add flat lines for kingfish, cobia and barracuda. Reef trips start at $700; offshore trips start at $1,000.
How much does a reef fishing trip cost?
Reef trips start at $700 for 5 hours and $900 for 8 hours and take up to 6 guests. The final price depends on group size.
How far out do we go?
Up to 15 miles out on a 5-hour trip and up to 25 miles on an 8-hour trip, depending on conditions. You target the same species either way; the deeper water farther out holds bigger fish.
Is reef fishing good for kids?
Yes. The action is steady, the crew baits hooks and helps land fish, and the 5-hour trip keeps the day manageable.
Can I keep my fish?
Yes, within state and federal limits. Your captain cleans and bags your legal catch at the dock.
Where do we meet?
Most trips meet at 164 Causeway N, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169. Your captain confirms the exact meeting spot and departure time with you directly before the trip.
What if the weather is bad?
If the captain cancels for weather or seas, you get a full refund or a free reschedule.